MLB Player News

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen is not in Thursday's lineup against the Phillies. More than likely, this is just a day off for the veteran. 

After a cold start in April, McCutchen has seen his batting average rise as he's recorded hits in seven of his last eight games. 

Outfielder Gregory Polanco is back in the lineup and hitting first. First baseman Pedro Alvarez is hitting fifth. Third baseman Jung Ho Kang is hitting sixth and catcher Chris Stewart is batting ninth. 

The Braves have reportedly signed veteran catcher Wil Nieves  to a minor league contract, according to MLB.com. Nieves elected free agency after he was designated for assignment by the Padres earlier this month. He had one hit (a home run) in 13 at-bats before being let go.

Nieves will provide the Braves with catching depth. Currently, veteran A.J. Pierzynski and rookie Christian Bethancourt have been sharing time behind the plate for manager Fredi Gonzalez. The two have combined to hit .254 with three home runs so far, with Bethancourt really struggling offensively (he has just nine hits in 52 at-bats). 

After starting three straight games, and six of the last seven, Diamondbacks catcher Tuffy Gosewisch will get the day off on Wednesday against the Nationals. Jordan Pacheco will be the starting catcher and will bat seventh for manager Chip Hale.

Gosewisch has been hitting well this month, batting .370 with four doubles and seven RBI nine games in May. 

Catcher Yasmani Grandal was part of the run-scoring explosion on Tuesday, as the Dodgers routed the Marlins 11-1. Grandal chipped in a pair of singles, while driving in two and scoring two runs on the evening.

Grandal is red-hot at the plate right now, as he owns a ridiculous .500/.590/.900 batting line over his last 10 games, with three of his four home runs this season coming in that stretch. His season batting average is up to .309 as he continues to get regular playing time behind the plate. 

Devin Mesoraco delivered a pinch-hit, walk-off RBI double for the Reds on Tuesday and said afterwards that he expects to return behind the plate soon to catch, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

Mesoraco caught the team's first five games of the season before being limited to a pinch-hitting and designated-hitting role due to a hip issue.

"I haven't done it before," Mesoraco said of the walk-off hit. "I've had situations where I wish I could have done it. I'm just thankful I got a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on it."

Mesoraco is hitting .118 in 34 at-bats this season.

Diamondbacks catcher Oscar Hernandez is scheduled for an MRI on Friday, after he popped a scar tissue loose in his left hand in an extended spring training at-bat on Monday, FOX Sports Arizona reports. Hernandez, a  Rule 5 pick, has been sidelined since the start of the season with a broke hamate bone in his left hand.

Reds shortstop Zack Cozart (wrist) and catcher Devin Mesoraco (hip) are not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Braves.

Cozart was scratched Monday due to wrist soreness and replaced by Kris Negron, who is at shortstop Tuesday and batting seventh. Manager Bryan Price does not believe Cozart will require a stint on the disabled list.

"Not at this point in time," Price said, per MLB.com. "We haven't gotten that type of feedback from Dr. [Tim] Kremchek. He could be in there [Wednesday]. That's where we are. He's been getting some treatment. I was certainly hoping there would be more improvement from yesterday to today, and there wasn't. We'll make sure we check all avenues to make sure there isn't something more significant."

Mesoraco has been limited to pinch-hit duty by a hip injury for most of the season.

The Reds are favorites (-145) against the Braves Tuesday, per VegasInsider.com.

Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart took full responsibility for what decided Monday's game against the Braves. Closer Aroldis Chapman's pitch went through Barnhart's glove, allowing a go-ahead run to score in the ninth inning.

"I've got to catch the ball, it's that simple," Barnhart said to MLB.com. "That doesn't matter -- 110, 120 [mph], it doesn't matter. That ball has to be caught. There's no excuse."

Manager Bryan Price didn't solely blame Barnahart for the error.

"It was just a pitch that got away," Price said. "It's hard when you're throwing that hard and the ball cuts instead of sinks. It's a tough position to play with a guy that throws like Chappy does. It's a lot of velocity and a lot of action."

Although Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud has been cleared for most baseball activities, he has not been cleared to begin hitting, reports ESPNNewYork.com.

d'Arnaud is dealing with a broken pinky finger and is on the 15-day disabled list. He has not played since April 19.

Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson is out of the starting lineup on Monday with John Mayberry taking over in right field, the team announced.

Granderson has missed just three of the team's first 31 games for rest and started six in a row. Mayberry is hitting .120 in 25 at-bats this season. Michael Cuddyer is also back in the starting lineup after originally being reported as out for Monday.

Dilson Herrera and Kevin Plawecki all return to the lineup after getting the day off on Sunday.

The Mets are currently the underdogs (+150) against the Cubs.